Thread: Starting my 21 year old son out

I can't decide if I should start him w a safety a stair or a shavette. They all seem to have there merits any good reason to start on one rather than another?

I think a safety. Old Gillette blue tip or the like.
The mechanical aspect of wet-shaving should be learned.

No shavette, I think?

Ask him what he wants to learn to use most.
The DE sounds most plausible, for learning about proper angles and pressure. But if he starts and keeps at it with the straight, he'll have it mastered in no time.

I started with a straight when I was 17, and learned in my own. Very happy I did, now that I'm 50.

Originally Posted by outback

Ask him what he wants to learn to use most.
The DE sounds most plausible, for learning about proper angles and pressure. But if he starts and keeps at it with the straight, he'll have it mastered in no time.

I started with a straight when I was 17, and learned in my own. Very happy I did, now that I'm 50.

+1

Using a straight razor requires a lot of different skills: honing, stropping, lathering, and shaving. For a young man, that is a lot to learn at one time, although folks like Outback did it and did it well. If your son starts with a DE, he only has to learn the skills of lathering and shaving. Once he has gotten those skills mastered, buy him a straight razor that has been professionally honed unless you honing skills are good. Even those who use a straight razor may pick up a DE from time to time, so having the skill to use one helps.

The advantage of starting shaving with an early age is that your fine motor skills are good, your skin is still smooth and your beard is not so tough. That makes shaving a lot easier.

I waited until retirement before starting to use a straight razor and by then, I had arthritic fingers, my skin is saggy, and my beard is coarse.

Most 21-year old men I know have been shaving for a while. I assume he is currently using an electric or a cartridge razor of some sort if you are thinking about leading him to a DE or straight.

If he has no particular skin sensitivities and he is motivated by your example, he could go directly to a straight with your tutoring and support. If he’s unsure, then I think he would likely be more comfortable with a decent DE that is not overly aggressive, like a Merkur 34C.

Whatever he chooses, he will also need a good quality starter soap and brush. I would suggest Baume.be because nobody I’m aware of has experienced any irritation from it and it offers a nice slick, protective lather that is easy to raise. I also suggest a good quality synthetic brush because they aren’t overly expensive, raise good lather and are easy to maintain.

He can fall down any number of rabbit holes once he decides whether or not to pursue this hobby. Sounds like his dad will be a key enabler

Yea, it’s a personal choice, most young guys prefer the ease of a Double edge and just replacing a blade when needed.

If you buy an assortment of blades, he will quickly see there is are a lot more options than a cartridge or electric.

I gave my son a restored Slim and Fat boy and assortment of blades and a nice Geneva. He shaves the double edge during the week and Straight on weekends.

A tub of MDC and a re-knotted vintage badger brush and he’s hooked.

For many people the easiest and greatest improvement to the quality of their shave will come from a quality soap and a nice brush. I have two sons, one chose a straight, and started fairly early with that and the other tried a straight and then went with a DE safety razor. Both have stuck with their choice.

I agree with the DE. IMO, Shavettes are harder to get a good shave with than DEs. Shavettes, again IMO, are as hard or harder to use than a SR, because they're just as dangerous, but less "refined" in terms of balance, edge and handling ability.

Again, those are my opinions. Some may disagree.

I always recommend an adjustable DE Gillette slim or the like. My fatboy served me well for the first 30 plus years of shaving. The ability to adjust it makes it adaptable for just about anyone to find a good shave.
Have started two youngins on the path to old school shaving. Ditching the cartridges and canned goo.
They are , once converted diciples. They go forth and spread the word. I have become somewhat of a shaving guru at my side job.
My first "disciple" is now expressing an interest in straights. I am enjoying sharing my knowledge. And this site is also part of the transition.
Ken.

good luck getting a 21 yr old to use anything special when shaving. Id say starting with a DE is best for learning. I tried to get my stepson entersted in a DE, SE or straight. Gave him the choice and explained id show and teach. He would rather spend 30 seconds rubbing an electric on his face so he can get back to his video games.
The younger folks dont have the patience in my opinion.